No bail for deja vu murder suspect

The arraignment Wednesday of the woman charged with killing her husband — in a manner similar to what she was accused of 28 years ago — was continued to next month.

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Colleen Harris, who appeared in a wheelchair with her attorney, David Weiner, was called first on the afternoon calendar, out of normal order of court hearings.

Judge Douglas C. Phimister said that, as per a conference with Weiner, who was also Harris’ attorney in the 1985-86 trial, and deputy district attorney Joe Alexander, the hearing would be continued once again. The new date was given as Feb. 25 at 1 p.m. in Department 7.

Phimister also noted that a bail study had not been requested by the defense. Harris would remain without bail unless a review was requested. The hearing concluded and about 20 people, or half the audience in the courtroom, rose to leave.

Harris, 70, is accused of murdering her third husband, Bob Harris, 72. She has been on trial for murder before, after she called El Dorado County Sheriff’s dispatch in 1985 to inform them that her second husband, James Batten, was dead. During the trial, she claimed she had amnesia and that Batten had sexually assaulted both her and her daughter from her first husband. She was found not guilty by a jury of nine women and three men.